(ANSA) - Rome, February 20 - Female entrepreneurs could stand to profit more than the average businessperson as a result of the tourist influx for Milan's Expo 2015, according to figures released on Friday by the Observatory of Female Entrepreneurship of Unioncamere, an organization that represents chambers of commerce across Italy.
Of the 1.3 million female-owned businesses in Italy, 29% operate in tourism or food services, compared to 22% of businesses operating in these sectors overall.
Female-owned businesses represent just 21.5% of Italian businesses, but Unioncamere President Ferruccio Dardanello said that statistic is growing.
"The data show women are gaining a bigger space over time in our productive fabric because they're dynamic and attentive to the market," Dardanello said.
"They understand that for our country, sectors especially like tourism, hospitality, culture, and personal services are deposits of wealth yet to be excavated and put to use," he said.
Women entrepreneurs positioned to profit from Expo 2015
29% of female-owned businesses in tourism or food services